102322: Distributing tapes as an act of charity on behalf of the deceased

Is it permissible to distribute religious tapes for the deceased to be rewarded during condolence gatherings?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Distributing tapes which
contain lessons, lectures and guidance is a means of giving charity on
behalf of the deceased, if it is intended that the reward should go to him.
This is one of the best things that the living can do for the dead, and this
is confirmed in the shar’i texts which indicate that the reward will reach
the one on whose behalf charity is given.

It was narrated from
‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that a man said to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): My mother died suddenly
and I think that if she could have spoken she would have given charity; will
she have a reward if I give charity on her behalf? He said: “Yes.” Narrated
by al-Bukhaari (1388) and Muslim (1004).

Imam al-Shaafa’i (may
Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Umm (4/126):

The dead may benefit from
the actions of another in three cases: Hajj performed on his behalf, wealth
that is given in charity on his behalf, and du’aa’. … And Allaah is most
generous because He will reward the living and benefit the dead.

Al-Nawawi narrated in
al-Majmoo’ (5/293) that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that charity
on behalf of the deceased benefits him and reaches him.

Ibn Taymiyah said in
al-Fataawa al-Kubra (3/29):

The imams are agreed that
charity reaches the deceased, as do other financial acts of worship such as
freeing slaves. End quote.

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami said
in Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj (7/72-73):

The deceased is benefited
by charity given on his behalf, such as donating Mus-hafs as a waqf and so
on.

There is nothing wrong with
distributing these tapes as an act of charity on behalf of the deceased
during the condolence gathering or afterwards, but that is subject to the
condition that you do not believe that giving charity during the days of
mourning is of extra virtue, as some people think that giving charity during
the mourning period is essential to help the deceased in the initial period
in the grave or make him happy in his grave and other such false beliefs.